Whether it be a one-man wrecking crew, a slash-and-gash running style or a potent backfield pair, the ground game at Shadow Hills High has always proven the thesis of head coach Ron Shipley's run of success.

The Knights' leading man since Shadow Hills became a varsity program in 2010, Shipley is now the desert's longest-tenured head coach. And while the key staff addition of long-time La Quinta head coach Dan Armstrong to lead the Knights defense showed instant results in Shadow Hills' season-opening 21-0 road win over West Valley (Hemet) on Friday night, the Knights' run game continues to forge past into present.

"We've had a variety of different runners over the years, and we also like to run out of a variety of different formations," Shipley said after Friday's win. "We like to keep defenses off-balance, and let our guys shine."

On Friday, the spotlight shined on the player aptly donning "1" on his white and purple uniform, as all-purpose senior standout Kevin Johnson took over in the Wildcat formation after starting quarterback Hunter Brooks left the game early with a shoulder stinger.

"Kevin has always been a receiver for us, but now he can be more of that Wildcat package, running the football, and he'll hit those holes," added Shipley. "And, obviously, as he showed tonight, he can throw, too. But he made some great plays, and I think he may have found a little home there."

If home is where the holes are, Shipley may have found the next great link in Shadow Hills' historic chain of standout backs. Despite suffering from cramping throughout the latter half on Friday, Johnson authored a line of 19 rushes for 198 yards and a pair of scores in the win, highlighted by a 79-yard TD sprint on his second play behind center.

"Personnel is different from last year – but it's the same concept," Shipley said. "Last year, we had JD (Lang) running from the same formation, but he was also a threat to throw. And Kevin presents that same threat, that same dimension."

For Johnson, an appreciation of Shadow Hills' stellar backfield history needs no explanation.

"I was watching Shadow back when I was in fifth grade; I used to go to all the games," Johnson recalled.

Shadow Hills High School's Lee Hawkins runs for yardage during their game against West Valley in Hemet on August 17, 2018. (Photo11: Omar Ornelas,The Desert Sun-USA TODAY NETWORK, )

To further credit Johnson's recollections: Since Shadow Hills became a varsity program in 2010, the team has never had a leading rusher with fewer than 629 yards in a single season.

On two occasion, the Knights have sported 2,000-yard rushers: Toland in 2012 with 2,649 yards and Ortega-Dage in 2014 with 2,221 yards and, on two more occasions, Shadow Hills has had 1,000-yard seasons from a back (Tony Williams with 1,702 yards in '14 and 1,254 yards in 2015).

Previous to Ortega-Dage's 2-K season, he and Alex Lopez combined for 1,331 rushing yards in 2013, and, last season, Welmas and Lang provided a similar combined number, with 1,211 yards between them.

While the health of Brooks will no doubt determine Johnson's rushing requirements this season, if called upon, he and senior halfback Hawkins (995 career rush yards and 11 TDs entering this year) could combine to form the Knights' next prolific pair.

Shadow Hills High School's Kevin Johnson runs for a touchdown during their game against West Valley in Hemet on August 17, 2018. (Photo11: Omar Ornelas,The Desert Sun-USA TODAY NETWORK, )

"I actually feel like he's the power back, because he gets the no receiver, Hog (formation), and I get the receivers (in my formation) because I can throw," Johnson explained of the combo attack of his 6-foot-1 frame and that of the slashing, 5-foot-6, 140-pound Hawkins.

As for making new history in the Shadow Hills backfield, Johnson has one eye on his fullback and the other on his legacy. With a season of possibilities ahead, the senior takes a moment to reflect back to his days as an 11-year-old in the Knights' stands.

"It would be really cool to be remembered," Johnson concluded. "To give somebody else the same motivation I got watching those great backs, and to be somebody to look up to."